Countless widows, on Thursday, obstructed the entrance gate to the Imo State Government House in Owerri in protest.
The aggrieved women, under the aegis of the Imo Widow Sweepers Association, interrupted the flow of traffic around the Government House.
They said the Governor Hope Uzodimma administration owed them six months’ salaries.
The leader of the group, Mrs Mercy Okorie, told reporters that the state government terminated their employment last year but refused to pay them their six months’ salary arrears.
She said they would not leave the Government House gate until the governor agreed to pay them.
“We are widows, who used to sweep the streets of Owerri. We are over 500 in number. The government disengaged us last year, but refused to pay us our six months’ arrears of salaries. We have made efforts to get our salaries paid, but there’s no headway. We are owed N90,000 each, because our salary every month is N15,000,” Okorie stated.
The women also disallowed the convoy of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Nnamdi Anyaehie, from accessing the Government House.
Anyaehie disembarked from his car and told the women that they would be paid on or before Monday.
“On my honour, I want to assure that you will get your money on or before Monday. Governor Hope Uzodimma is very compassionate. He is for you. The delay is because most of you have not submitted your account details. The truth is that this administration does not pay salaries in cash, the way you were being paid before,” he stated.